[TheClimate.Vote] May 12, 2020 - Daily Global Warming News Digest

[Richard Pauli]

/*May 12, 2020*/

[confirming]
*Climate change: Study pours cold water on oil company net zero claims*
By Matt McGrath - Environment correspondent
Claims by oil and gas companies that they are curbing their carbon 
emissions in line with net zero targets are overstated, according to a 
new review.

The independent analysis of six large European corporations acknowledges 
they have taken big steps on CO2 recently...
- -
However, the authors draw a sharp contrast between the actions of these 
European companies and oil and gas producers in the US.

None of the dozens of American fossil fuel corporations have public 
disclosures on climate change comparable to Europe, which TPI says is a 
concern.

"We simply don't know what their intentions are on this issue, that 
poses a greater financial risk to us," said Adam Matthews.

"We're continuing to engage, but engagements are finite, there comes a 
point at which you have to draw very clear conclusions."
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52624695



[quite obvious]
*Even If Climate Change Wasn't Happening, Phasing Out Coal Is A 
'No-Regret' Solution*
- -
The authors argue exiting coal is a particularly valuable strategy going 
forward, because it reduces carbon dioxide emissions at a relatively low 
cost while also reaping huge local benefits, such as a reduction in air 
pollution.

Still, even then, coal is just a start, or, as the authors say, a 
"crucial early entry point." Phasing out our use of it is a way to buy 
us some time so we can create further climate policies that turn us away 
from other fossil fuels and towards more renewable forms of energy. 
Exiting coal is not a solution to the whole problem.

"[A] holistic response to the climate and environmental crisis will 
eventually have to achieve almost full-scale decarbonization of power 
supply," the authors conclude, "and thus also entail a deep reduction of 
not only coal but also oil and gas and address non-electric energy 
demands in transportation, buildings and industry sectors as well as 
resource efficiency."

The study was published in Nature Climate Change.
https://www.sciencealert.com/phasing-out-coal-is-a-no-regret-strategy-for-most-places-in-the-world
- -
[source material]
*Coal-exit health and environmental damage reductions outweigh economic 
impacts*

    *Abstract*
    Cheap and abundant coal fuelled the industrialization of Europe,
    North America and Asia1. However, the price tag on coal has never
    reflected the external cost to society; coal combustion produces
    more than a third of today’s global CO2 emissions and is a major
    contributor to local adverse effects on the environment and public
    health, such as biodiversity loss and respiratory diseases. Here, we
    show that phasing out coal yields substantial local environmental
    and health benefits that outweigh the direct policy costs due to
    shortening of the energy supply. Phasing out coal is thus a
    no-regret strategy for most world regions, even when only accounting
    for domestic effects and neglecting the global benefits from slowing
    climate change. Our results suggest that these domestic effects
    potentially eliminate much of the free-rider problem caused by the
    discrepancy between the national burden of decarbonization costs and
    the internationally shared benefits of climate change impact
    mitigation. This, combined with the profound effect of closing
    around half of the global CO2 emissions gap towards the 2 C target,
    makes coal phase-out policies attractive candidates for the
    iterative strengthening of the nationally determined contributions
    pledged by the countries under the Paris Agreement...

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-0728-x



[give to the future]
*On Philanthropy: Encouraging donors to ask questions about nonprofits’ 
climate impact*
- -
The proposed questions that follow are not intended to be a litmus test 
for funding.  Nor are they designed to place additional burdens on 
nonprofit organizations, especially in this period of enormous financial 
and operational stress.  Rather, they are a conversation starter to help 
nonprofits move forward in adapting their operations to be more climate 
friendly.

    1. Does your board have a policy prioritizing reduction of carbon
    footprint in all operations and programs?

    2. Have you obtained an energy efficiency audit for your facilities
    and operations?

    3. If you have an endowment, are your investments carbon-neutral and
    climate friendly?

    4. Does your organization seek alternatives to travel, such as
    remote meeting technology? When air travel is required, do you
    purchase carbon offsets?

    5. Do you have policies and practices in place to reduce energy,
    water, paper and other supply use? Do you purchase recycled products
    when available?

    6. Have you explored renewable energy resources for your facilities,
    whether you own or rent?

    7. Do you use LED light bulbs and turn off computers, copiers and
    other electronic equipment when not in use?

    8. Do you have policies and practices to discourage food waste?

    9. Do you purchase reusable or compostable products for meetings,
    meals and events, such as cups, glasses, tableware, etc.?

    10. Do you have a comprehensive recycling and/or composting program?

    11. If you have a supply chain, does it have carbon reduction
    measures in place? Are your own distribution channels fuel and
    energy efficient?

    12. Do you have incentives to encourage employees to use
    transportation alternatives such as public transportation, carpools,
    car sharing, bicycles, electric vehicles, etc.?

    13. If you operate vehicles, what percent are electric, hybrid or
    hydrogen fueled?

    14. Is there a person on your staff who is responsible for the
    reduction of the organization’s carbon footprint? Does that person
    provide periodic reports on carbon footprint improvements?

"Simply put, climate change is an existential crisis -- the most serious 
we humans have ever faced. There are only two differences between global 
warming and a nuclear holocaust: the speed at which species perish and 
the fact that we all have our fingers on the button," said William 
Becker, Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Action project. 
"This is truly an all-hands-on-deck moment. If we are in a position to 
help others reduce their carbon footprints, or to influence them to do 
so, we should use it."

In addition to their stated missions, nonprofits can play a critical 
role in responding to climate change. Donors can pose any or all of the 
questions listed above in an effort to help nonprofits expand their 
roles in protecting the plane.
Bruce DeBoskey, J.D., is a philanthropic strategist working across the 
United States with The DeBoskey Group to help families, businesses, 
foundations and family offices design and implement thoughtful 
philanthropic strategies and actionable plans. He is a frequent keynote 
speaker at conferences and workshops on philanthropy. Visit 
deboskeygroup.com.
https://www.denverpost.com/2020/05/10/on-philanthropy-donors-nonprofits-climate-impact/


[Digging back into the internet news archive]
*On this day in the history of global warming - May 12, 2009 *
Boston Phoenix writer David Bernstein notes that the GOP's rejection of 
climate science will eventually cost the party votes:

    "Republicans have a lot to say about the immorality of saddling the
    next generation with our national debt. But when it comes to leaving
    them a wrecked, depleted, and rapidly warming planet, they are
    taking the exact opposite line. That's especially odd when you
    consider how important that next generation is to the faltering GOP
    -- and how broadly united those voters, known as Millennials, are in
    their concern over global warming and other energy and environment
    issues.

    "GOP leaders claim to be courting these young adults, but that
    apparently extends only to their use of Twitter and promises of a
    "hip-hop" party makeover. Meanwhile, they seem intent on not just
    opposing but wildly denouncing and denigrating this generation's
    most unifying issue.

    "Even the most senior Republican leaders, and the top GOP lawmakers
    on energy and environment committees, keep shooting themselves in
    the foot by spewing antiquated, anti-science nonsense.

    "If they continue this type of Neanderthal posturing, the GOP is
    going to lose something a lot more valuable than its old moderates,
    like Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter, who last week switched
    parties to become a Democrat.

    "Those who study Millennial politics say that the Republican Party
    is on the verge of completely alienating the coming generation --
    just as previous controversial platforms it has endorsed ensured
    that the party kissed off such huge demographic swaths as
    African-Americans, single women, and Hispanics, who at present vote
    overwhelmingly Democratic."

http://thephoenix.com/boston/news/82563-generation-green/#ixzz2kqi0L9hP

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